A Christian Library (Vol. 28) (John Wesley)

《A Christian Library (Vol. 28)》(John Wesley)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Life of Rev. John Howe
The Living Temple, Part I
The Living Temple, Part II, Sec. I
The Living Temple, Part II, Sec. II
The Living Temple, Part II, Sec. III
Eminent Persons: Philip Henry, Part I
Eminent Persons: Philip Henry, Part II
Eminent Persons: George Trosse, Part I
Eminent Persons: John Eliot
The Life of Rev. John Howe

THE LIFE

OF

THE REV MR. JOHN HOWE.

Mr. John Howe was born May 17, 1630, the 29th day. of which month was remarkable for the nativity of KING CHARLES the Second, and which very year, a few months after, gave birth to Archbishop TILLOTSON, with whom Mr. Bow E in his after-life had a particular intimacy. The place of his birth was Loughborough, in the county of Leicester; of which town his father was for some time Minister. I have heard his father commended as a person of singular piety; and his mother as a woman of distinguished sense.
He was settled in the Parish of Loughborough by Archbishop LAUD, and afterwards thrust out by the same hand, on the account of his siding with the Puritans, contrary to the expectation of his promoter. Great was the rigor that was at that time used in the Ecclesiastical Courts, by which as several were driven into America, and others into Holland, and other foreign parts, so was this worthy person driven into Ireland, whither he took this his son (then very young) along with him. While they continued in that country, that rebellion broke out, in which the poor Protestants, who were altogether unprovided, were so miserably butchered, and a great number of flourishing families ruined and undone. Both father and son were at that time exposed to very threatening danger, the place to which they had retired being for several weeks together besieged by the rebels, though without success. A very special Providence did upon this occasion guard that life who had his eyes every where, spied out MR. HOWE, knew him by his garb to be a country Minister, and sent a messenger to him to desire to speak with him when the worship of GOD was over. Upon his coming to him, CROMWELL requested him to preach before him the Lord's Day. Mr. Howe was surprised, and modestly desired to be excused. CROMWELL told him it was a vain thing to attempt to excuse himself, for that he would take no denial. When he had given him one sermon, CROMWELL pressed for a second and a third; and at last, after a great deal of free conversation, nothing would serve him, (who could not bear to be contradicted,) but he must have him to be his household Chaplain. MR. HOWE did all that lay in his power to get off; but no denial would be admitted. And at length (though not without great reluctance) he was prevailed with to remove with his family to Whitehall. In this difficult station, he endeavored to be faithful, and to keep a good conscience. And it has been observed by several, that there was hardly any man that was in an eminent public station in those critical times, that was so free from censure, in the changes that afterwards succeeded. A plain argument of uncommon conduct and caution
He embraced every occasion that offered, of serving the interest of religion and learning, and opposing the errors and designs, which at that time threatened both. Among many instances of his generous temper, I shall mention one, which was his seasonable service to DR. SETH WARD, who was afterwards Bishop of Exeter and Sarum, successively. In 1657, that Gentleman, who had succeeded MR. John GREAVES some time before, as Astronomy ’Professor in the University of-Oxford, stood Candidate for the Principalship of Jesus College, in the same University, upon the resignation of DR. MICHAEL ROBERTS. DR. WARD had the majority of the Fellows for him; but MR. FRANCIS HOWELL, of Exeter College, made an interest in CROMWELL, and obtained his promise for the filling up that vacancy. Dr. WARD not knowing that matters had gone so far, was for making an interest in the Protector too, and in order to it, _applied to Mr. How E, who, without making great promises as to success, readily offered to introduce him to the Protector, and do him what service he was able. Having obtained an audience, and they three being together, MR. HOWE gave CROMWELL a great character of DR. WARD, with. respect to his learning, and signified how ill it would pound, if a man of his known merit should be discountenanced; especially when he had the majority of the Fellows on his side. CROMWELL replied, that DR. ROBERTS having resigned his Principalship into his hands, he had been informed that it was his right to fill up the vacancy; and he had given his promise to MR. HOWELL, and could not draw back. But immediately taking MR. HOWE aside, and discoursing him freely, he returned to DR. WARD, who continued waiting, and told him that he found MR. Howe to be much his friend, and was upon his report of him disposed to give some tokens of his regard: And thereupon he pleasantly asked him, What he thought the Principalship of Jesus College might be worth The Doctor freely told him what was the value of it, according to common computation. And therefore he gave the Doctor a promise, that he would allow him the sum that be mentioned annually. This was at that time reckoned a seasonable kindness: And the Doctor expressed his grateful sense of it to Mr. Howe, when upon the change of the times he became a greater man..
There were many others to whom Mr. Howe was very serviceable while he continued at Whitehall: And never was he known to be backward to assist any of the Royalists or Episcopalians in distress, if they were but persons of real merit.
Whilst he continued in CROMWELL'S family, he was often put upon secret services; but they were always honorable, and such as, according to the best of his judgment, might be to the benefit either of the public, or of particular persons. And when he was once engaged, he used all the diligence, and secrecy, and dispatch, he was able. Once particularly I have been informed, he was sent by OLIVER, in haste, upon a certain occasion to Oxford, to a meeting of Ministers there; and he made such, dispatch, that though he rode by ST. GILES'S Church at twelve o'clock, he arrived at Oxford by a quarter after five. He so behaved himself in this station, that he had the ill-will of as few as any man, and the particular friendship of the great DR. WILKINS, afterwards Bishop of Chester, and several others, who were great supports of real piety and goodness in those times, and afterwards eminent under the legal establishment.
When OLIVER died, his Son RICHARD succeeded him as Protector, and' Ma. Howe stood in the same relation to the son, as he had done to the father. He was still Chaplain at Court, when in October, 1658, he met with the Congregational Brethren at the Savoy, at the time of their drawing up their Confession of Faith. And though he meddled not with State affairs, neither then nor afterwards, yet he has often been heard to say, that he was in his judgment very much against RICHARD'S parting with his Parliament, which he easily foresaw would issue in his-own ruin. I have been told by a friend, that discoursing once freely with MR. Howe about the setting. RICHARD aside, he intimated to him, that it was but a parenthesis in a public paper, that was the occasion of the great ill-will of the officers to him, which rose at length to that height, that nothing would satisfy but the pulling him down. And when the same person signified in a way of free discourse to MR. Howe, that he heard RICHARD reflected on as a weak man, he with some warmth made this return:’ How could he be a weak man, when upon the remonstrance that was brought from the Army by his Brother FLEETWOOD, he stood it out all night against his whole Council, and continued till four o'clock in the morning, having none but THURLOW to abet him; maintaining that the dissolving that Parliament would be both his ruin and theirs'
When a way was made to bring things back into the old channel, MR. Howe returned to his people at Torrington, and continued his labors among them till the Restoration; at which time there was such a madness attended the universal joy, that it is a perfect wonder the nation ever in any measure recovered it.
The King being restored, made for' some time more use than was usual of the Lords Lieutenants, and their Deputies, to keep the several Counties of the Kingdom in awe. Many were made offenders for a word, and the most cautious Preachers were accused and censured. Among the rest, MR. Howe, though cautious as most men of giving disturbance to any, yet met with some trouble, in the year 1660, a few months after the Restoration; which appears to have been given him by persons that were desirous to do a pleasure to those who then had the ascendant.
He was informed against by JOHN EVINS and WILLIAM MORGAN, as delivering somewhat that was seditious, and even treasonable, in two sermons preached from Gal. 6: 7, 8, on September 80, and October 14. The information was given before Mr. WELLINGTON, the Mayor, who took an engagement from MR. Howe, and others, on his behalf, for his appearance at the next Sessions, to answer to that matter.
Before that time, some of the Deputy Lieutenants of the County (who were not willing the Magistrates of the several Corporations should be too powerful) sent word to the Mayor, that they could not be present at the appointed Session, but desired to hear the matter at another time, and prefixed a day for that purpose, to which the Mayor accordingly adjourned the Sessions, in compliance with their desire. And whereas MR. Howe in open court demanded the benefit of the Statute of 1 Edw. 6, and of 1 ELTZ., to purge himself by more evidences than the informers; the Mayor administered an oath to one-and-twenty witnesses, who were judicious men, enjoining them, on his Majesty's behalf to declare the truth of the matter; and they all cleared MR. HOWE from the guilt in the accusation; and the Court accordingly discharged him.
One of the accusers soon left the town, and-was seen there no more; the other cut his own throat. In 1662, the Act of Uniformity passed the two Houses of Parliament, though, as it was observed, with a very small majority in the House of Commons; and it took place on August 24, this year. Mr. Howe, on that day, preached two very affecting sermons to his people at Torrington, and his auditory were all in tears. He consulted his conscience, and could nit be satisfied with the terms of conformity fixed by the law; some account of which he gave in his farewell sermons. He hereupon quitted his public station in the Church, and became a silenced Non-conformist.
However he continued for some time in the County of Devon, preaching in private houses, among his friends and acquaintance, as he had opportunity. Having preached at the house of a certain gentleman in those parts, and spent some few days with him, he at his return home was told, that an officer belonging to the Bishop's Court had been to inquire after him, and left word that there was a Citation out, both against him, and the gentleman at whose house he had preached. Hereupon he, the very next morning, took his horse, and rode to Exeter; and -lighting at the inn he usually called at, he stood a while at the gate, considering which way he had best to steer his course. While he stood musing, a certain dignified Clergyman, with whom he was well acquainted, happening to pass by, looked on him with some surprise, and saluted him with this question,’ MR. HOWE, what do you here' To whom he replied, with another question:’ Pray, Sir, what have I done that I may not be here', Upon which he told him, that there was a process out against him; and that being so well known as he was, he did, not question but that if he did not take care, he would be taken up in a very little time.
Among other discourse that passed, he asked him, Whether he would not go and wait upon the Bishop He said, he thought not to do it, unless his Lordship, hearing of his being in that city, should think fit to invite him. Upon this, he advised him to call for a room, and wait there a little, and told him he would go to the Bishop, and let him know that he was there, and return to him again, and give him an account what his Lordship said. He accordingly left him, and soon returned, and brought him an invitation from the Bishop, who signified he would be glad to see him. Waiting on his Lordship, he received him with great civility, as his old acquaintance.
The Bishop presently fell to expostulating with him about his Non-conformity. MR. Howe told his Lordship, he could not have time, without greatly trespassing upon his patience, to go through the several objections which he had to make against the terms of Conformity. The Bishop pressed him to name any ore. He thereupon instanced in the point of Re-ordination.’ Why, pray Sir,' said the Bishop to him,’ what hurt is there in being twice ordained’ hurt, my Lord,' says MR. Howe to him; I the thought is shocking; it hurts my understanding; it is an absurdity: For nothing can have two beginnings. - I am sure,' said he,’ I am a Minister of CHRIST, and am ready to ’debate that matter with your Lordship, if you please; And I cannot begin again to be a Minister.' The Bishop then dropping that hatter, told MR. Howe, as he had done at other times, that if he would come in amongst them, he might have considerable preferments, and at length dismissed him in a very friendly manner. And as his Lordship did not take the least notice to him of the process that was issued out against him, so neither did he say any thing of it to his Lordship: But taking his leave, he mounted his horse, and rode home, and beard-no more of that matter, either with respect to the gentleman, or himself.
In 1665, when the Dissenting Ministers had been three years silenced, they were not a little perplexed in all parts of the kingdom, by the. Act- that passed in the Parliament at Oxford, by which they were obliged (under penalty of not being allowed, unless upon the road, to come within five miles of any city, or corporation, or any place that sent Burgesses to Parliament, or any place where they had been Ministers, or had preached after the Act of Oblivion) to swear,’ That it was not lawful, upon any Pretence whatsoever, to take arms against the King; and that they would not at any time endeavor any alteration of the government either' in Church or State.' They were much divided in their sentiments upon this occasion. There were several among them, who reckoned this oath so insnaring, that they durst not take it: But it was at length taken in London, by Ds,. BATES, and others, to the number of twenty. It was also taken in Devonshire, by Ma. Howe, and others, to the number of twelve; and by some few in Dorsetshire.
Some time after, he was earnestly invited by a person of considerable quality into Ireland, and had generous offers made him. He accepted the motion with the greater readiness, and looked upon it as the more providential, because by this time he was reduced to straits, and his circumstances were but low; which is not at all to be wondered at, considering that he had for some years been out of any settled employment, and had but a small income, several in family, and a generous spirit. He set sail for Dublin in the beginning of April, 1671. While he was waiting for a wind at a town in Wales, [I suppose it was Holyhead,] they continued there a Loan's Day, and found a large Parish Church, in which prayers only were to be read as usual, but no preaching was expected. The company that was with Mr. Howe was pretty numerous, ’and they were desirous to find out some private place by the sea-side, where he might preach to them. As they were walking along the sands, they met two men on horseback, riding towards the town, who proved to be the Parson of the Parish and his Clerk. The Clerk was asked by'one in the company, whether his master preached that day, No,' said he,’ my master does not use to preach, he only reads prayers.' Upon which it was-further inquired whether he thought his master would be willing to give leave to a Minister that was in their. company, who was going for Ireland, but waiting for a wind, to make use of his pulpit that day He answered,’ He believed very willingly;' and' they found it so, when the Clerk made the motion to him. Hereupon Mr. Howe -and the rest returned back to the town, and he preached that day twice to them in the church; and in the afternoon, the auditory was very large, and seemed to be not a little affected. The wind not serving all the week following, the country all round those parts, took notice that neither the vessel nor the Minister was gone; and therefore on the Loan's-day after, they came flocking into the town, expecting he would preach that day also. There was a prodigious multitude gathered together; - and the Parson, who had had no thoughts about the matter, observing it, was in no small consternation. Preach himself he could not; for be had not of a long time been used to it, and he was altogether unprovided: So he sent his Clerk to MR. Howe, and begged be would come and preach again”; for that otherwise he knew not what to do, the country being come in from several miles round, in hope of hearing him. Mr. Howe having been much indisposed, was in bed, and in a great sweat, when he received the message; and that made him at first doubtful whether he had best comply. * But considering with himself, that there was a plain call of Providence, and not knowing but much good might be done in such a place, where preaching was so uncommon a thing, and the people seemed so desirous of the Word of God, be sent word he would do it; cooled himself with as much speed as he was able, and went and preached with great life and freedom: And he told my informant, that' he never in all his life saw people more moved, or' receive the Word with greater pleasure:' He added,’ If my ministry was ever of any use, I think it must have been then.' Very soon after, the vessel went off, and he found no ill effects at all of the pains he took in such